🔗 Share this article Pacific Bluefin Fish Commands Historic Price of $3.2m at Tokyo New Year Sale A familiar auction figure is a well-known participant at the traditional sale. A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year. The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly first sale. Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This new purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries nationwide. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I sense like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one satisfied customer.
A familiar auction figure is a well-known participant at the traditional sale. A substantial bluefin tuna caused a stir at the Tokyo's Toyosu fish market this Monday, securing a unprecedented bid of 510.3 million yen ($3.2 million; £2.4m) during the venue's inaugural auction of the year. The top bid for the 535-pound fish was submitted by the parent firm of a well-known sushi chain, which runs restaurants across the country and abroad. "An inaugural tuna brings good luck," stated the entrepreneur, a regular figure at the yearly first sale. Known as the King of Tuna, this entrepreneur is renowned for making record bids for premium bluefin tuna at these high-profile new year auctions. Bidding Shock and Historic Precedent After the auction, the successful bidder informed reporters that he was "astonished at the winning bid," noting, "I expected we would be able to buy it a little at a lower price, but the price skyrocketed rapidly." This new purchase exceeds his own notable purchases: He bid 56.5 million yen away in 2012. He spent 155 million yen a year later. In 2019, he purchased a tuna for 333.6 million yen ($2.1 million). Despite once saying that he thought he "overdid it," he has now gone on to shatter his personal record another time. A Tradition of High Prices The inaugural auction at the Tokyo fish market is notoriously characterized by exceptionally high prices. Last year, the initial tuna was purchased for 207 million yen by another food company, which stated the fish would be served at its eateries nationwide. The high-energy activity at the fish market during these early morning auctions has become a major spectacle in Tokyo. Monday's auction, which started around 05:00 local time, was equally bustling. Immediate Consumption The extremely valuable tuna was shortly thereafter sliced up for patrons at the bidder's sushi chains soon after the auction was finished. "I sense like I've begun the year in a positive way after tasting something so fortune-bringing as the year begins," shared one satisfied customer.